Totally OT travel suggestions

isnt there heaps of cotton mills/manufacturers up in NC, SC and GA? maybe you can do a different route on the way home and catch some of those. gives ya some time to research them and get info from rctq'rs who live down that way. when i started reading this i thot it was Naples, Italy for a flash of a second and had such envy you wouldnt believe. i wanna return to see more of Europe again. i missed a lot even tho i was in and around there for two years. have a blast. jeanne

The return trip idea won't work this time. I'm flying home a week later and my friend is staying until early March. She has a condo there. KJ

Not nearly as many mills as earlier. Most have closed, and moved operations overseas. I was in NC for a week in Oct. It was sad driving by all these huge places, and seeing them empty. Not too many years ago they were up and running all 3 shifts-no more. It would be interesting to find out how many there are actually left in operation. Gen

I'll tell DH you're coming over Pat. He'd be glad to show your where all your favorites are! KJ

KJ wrote:

The Opryland Hotel is a neat place to visit -- it's HUGE and full of lovely plants and trees, etc. It's a total P.I.T.A. to get around in but still nice to visit. About 40 miles south of Nashville and about 20 miles (I think) west of the Interstate is Lynch burg, the home of Jack Daniels. The brewery has a great tour that was free last time I went through. Just before you get to Chattanooga, you will go through a little town -- also west of the Interstate -- that houses the Lodge Cast Iron Factory Outlet store so if you are into cast iron stuff, it makes a nice stop & shop interlude. Chattanooga has a great aquarium and probably a few LQS too -- not sure about the LQS since I have never stopped to find any (it's too near home for me). I honestly can't tell you about anything along I-75 or I-85 that might be of interest once you get into GA. I always just head for home ASAP :-). There are several really nice LQS in the North GA area but they are nowhere near the Interstate -- sorry. Of course, if you wanted to take another day getting to FL, let me know and I'll tell you where the LQS, etc. are. One LQS is in Dahlonega which is the site of the very first major gold strike in the USA -- NOT Sutter's Mill, CA! It's a great little "gold mine" town, has an awesome LQS AND a fantastic chocolate shop too :-)! Atlanta has a wonderful zoo with PANDAS and is well worth the visit. We have a new aquarium that is supposed to be superb and huge. I haven't been to the aquarium so can't give first hand info on that. I have no idea what is available south of town -- hopefully there are others more familiar with the more southerly areas than I am :-). CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at

Just depending on your idea of excitement, we do need to warn you about going through Chattanooga. At any time of day or night, you will want to have on hand your valium, NASCAR approved helmet, plus something to snack on and do make a serious pit stop to attend bladder needs first. It seems like every 18-wheeler in the universe roars down from the top of some mountain at

80 miles an hour all at the same time. They will just scare the pants off you - in addition to the highway department construction that cannot be described. We travel through there several times a year and every experience has been memorable. Polly

Sounds like a fun, FUN trip KJ..... have a REALLY good time!!

Patti in Seattle

Thank you, Janet. I enjoyed your perspective. Fascinating. Didn't exactly soothe my anxiety but I'm glad to know more about the Chattanooga experience. Polly

"Janet" wrote > You think Mount Eagle is "white knuckle" event in a car you should try

Thank you! All info is saved and greatly appreciated. Especially the weather suggestions! My friend goes to the Naples show every year and thinks it's great. I wish I were going to be there for it, but I won't. Thanks again. KJ

Several years ago I chaperoned the band trip to Orlando and our bus broke down in Chattanooga. I'm expecting this trip to be a lot more comfortable than sitting and sleeping on a bus for 24 hours straight. We will watch for truckers! KJ

Thanks Patti! How are those boxes coming?? KJ

As you're coming into Atlanta on I-75, there is a quilt shop - Little Quilts - not too far off I-75.

See their website

for directions. In the store itself they carry a variety of fabrics - reproductions, batiks, lots of Moda, wool and punch needle, along with a variety of cute and interesting gift items. It's a very nice store.

Barbara

Thanks! All printed out and stashed in travel folder! I've owned their patterns and books for many years. It might be fun to see the source. K